Govt and regulation

The boss of Elders is hoping the Indonesian phone tapping scandal will be resolved before the live export trade is affected.

Victorian dairy farmers are heading to Canberra today to argue that Australian processors need a level playing field as they compete with Canada’s Saputo in the bid for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB).

The National Food Plan, a comprehensive policy covering all elements of food production, supply, education and marketing may have had its initiatives placed on hold while the Federal Government drafts its own agricultural white paper.

David Hodgett, Victoria’s minister for manufacturing, and Elizabeth Miller, state member for Bentleigh, have visited Charlie’s Cookies in Bentleigh East as part of the state government’s commitment to engage with business.

The sale of GrainCorp is drawing attention to the fact that the Liberal-National Party coalition is not a single entity united in its approach to policy.

Coles and Woolworths, together with the Australian Food and Grocery Council, have agreed to a voluntary code regulating their dealings with suppliers.

The Anti-Dumping Commissioner has decided to enforce a nine percent tariff on imported tinned tomatoes, despite the Productivity Commission rejected an application for safeguards just weeks ago.

The third Cirrus Media Industrials poll reveals that industry is concerned about the impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) which the Government is attempting to forge with China, South Korea and Japan.

Australia’s reputation as a clean, green food producer is under threat with the Federal Department of Agriculture announcing it’s to cut 220 jobs, with biosecurity staff the first in line.

Following an announcement from the US FDA last week, Australian experts say that Australia should also consider a ban on artificial trans fats.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing a ban on artificial trans fats in an attempt to combat rising rates of obesity and heart disease.

South Australia is the only mainland state maintaining a ban on genetically modified crop production and trials, extending a moratorium until at least 2019.

In light of Mexico’s recent commitment to a tax on sugary drinks and junk food, new public opinion data from the Obesity Policy Coalition has revealed that Australians are also in favour of pricing interventions to curb bad eating habits.

Victorian farmers should be able to veto gas exploration on their land, says the Victorian Farmers Federation, arguing the importance of a “level playing field” between the farming and mining industries.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has assessed an application made by Dow AgroSciences Australia Ltd regarding the introduction of genetically modified soybean, and is now calling for submissions on the application.

Australia must control its food security, says Deputy PM Warren Truss, who is concerned that the sale of GrainCorp to ADM could see Australia’s agricultural future determined by foreign businesses.

Mexico has passed a law that imposes significant new taxes on sugary drinks and junk food.

​A study published in the journal of the British Medical Association, says a tax on sugary drinks could cut the number of obese adults in the United Kingdom by 180,000. Similar Australian projections predict an even bigger impact.

Baiada Poultry and Bartter Enterprises, the suppliers and processors of Steggles chicken products have been ordered by the federal government to pay $400,000 in penalties over misleading ‘free to roam’ claims.

Animal welfare group, Animals Australia shot footage earlier this month of the serious mistreatment of Australian sheep in Jordan, placing cruelty within the live animal export trade in the spotlight once again.